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Hi everyone. My name is James and I have a long story but will make it short. My father's lifelong friend left me a substantial amount of belongings. Now most of these I know very well what they are, gun and knife collections. But a few of them I have no clue. One is an antique ivory netsuke, believe to be japanese possibly cir. 1880-1920? Although it is highly possible it could be otherwise. I have enclosed a few pictures and i dont want to sell but would like to know as much as possible about it. But it could also be junk. Because i do not know I rely on those of you who do. I thank you all very much and hope to hear from someone if it is not wasting your time.

Gotta dash off, James, but can you get a) better shots and b) shots of the back and underneath?

Very hard to tell from those first photos, but I wouldn't hold my breath. My first impression is possibly ivory, done for the souvenir trade, and question: would someone today pay plus or minus 100 USD???

I have no clue on the value, as for that matter I have no clue what so ever. and as for the photos it seems really hard to get a descent pic of this. i have a nice camera but for some reason it isn't coming out as clear as i would think. but it does have the crafters signature on bottom but yet again running into issues with clarity. i will try to take some more pics. will have them posted +/- 1hr.

The signature is upside down, but very crudely carved, in keeping with the rest of the underneath. The impression is that this Netsuke was made in a rush. One has to ask if such an artist would have made it onto any of the 'Famous Netsuke Carvers' lists. I am afraid that the close-ups have confirmed, in my mind at least, my first impressions. When you see a few Netsuke masterpieces you will notice what it is that makes one artist sought after, and another quite run-of-the-mill. This is where we are all trying to get or keep our eye in, James.

I agree. Probably made at the upper end of the dates you suggested, and for the western tourist and curio trade.

That's fine if it has some sentimental value for you, but there's little value otherwise.

Jim Lewis - lewisjk@alltel.net - Western NC - [font=8]People, when Columbus discovered this country, it was plumb full of nuts and berries. And I'm right here to tell you the berries are just about all gone. Uncle Dave Macon, old-time country musician[/font]